Selfie apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use with an electronic communication device having a camera to take a picture or video. The apparatus comprises a base and a first flexible arm extending upward from the base. The apparatus further comprises second and third flexible arms extending upward from the base. The apparatus further comprises a first light source engaged with the first flexible arm and a second light source engaged with the second flexible arm. The apparatus further comprises a body engaged with the third flexible arm having a mirror surface. The apparatus further comprises a fastener directly engagable with the mirror surface and engageable with the communication device to position the camera in front of the mirror surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Utility application Ser. No. 16/111,324 filed on Aug. 24, 2018, nowpending, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 15/480,664 filed on Apr. 6, 2017, now abandoned,which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 14/678,996 filed on Apr. 5, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,648,217, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/136,462 filed on Mar. 21, 2015, all of which are herebyincorporated into this specification by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Taking a selfie picture has become a trendy way of taking pictures aloneor with other people. Conventionally, a person takes a selfie picture byholding an electronic communication device such as an iPhone® having acamera away from the person's body and then presses a trigger to takethe picture. Another conventional device secures the communicationdevice to the end of a telescopic pole allowing the person to extend thepole and camera to the desired position. Such conventional methods anddevices do not provide an easy way to take a high quality selfiepicture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention was to develop a device for use withan electronic communication device, such as an IPhone®, having a camerato take a selfie picture that is easy to use and provides a high qualityselfie picture or video.

The present invention is an apparatus for use with a communicationdevice, such as an IPhone®, having a camera enabled by a wirelesscommunication chip such as Bluetooth® to take a selfie picture or video.The apparatus comprises a base and a first flexible arm extending upwardfrom the base. The apparatus further comprises second and third flexiblearms extending upward from the base. The apparatus further comprises afirst light source engaged with the first flexible arm and a secondlight source engaged with the second flexible arm. The apparatus furthercomprises a body engaged with the third flexible arm having a mirrorsurface. The apparatus further comprises a control unit. The apparatusfurther comprises a fastener directly engagable with the mirror surfaceand engageable with the communication device to position the camera infront of the mirror surface. In operation, a person attaches thecommunication device to the fastener and positions the camera to aportrait, landscape or other orientation. The person then activates thecontrol unit to send a first signal to activate the first and secondlight sources to a desired intensity and a second signal to the camerato take a picture. Unlike conventional devices, the apparatus of thepresent invention allows a person to easily take a high quality selfiepicture or video.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention will be more fully understoodwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for use in taking picturesaccording to a first embodiment the present invention showing anelectronic communication device, such as an IPhone®, in a vertical orportrait orientation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention showing the electronic communicationdevice in a horizontal or landscape orientation;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention showing a housing, a mirrorassembly, an input device, and a fastener;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the housing showing a cavity to receive themirror assembly and a cavity to receive the input device;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the housing showing a cavity to receive acontrol circuit and a battery;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the input device showing a membraneswitch having an outer face with multiple function buttons, a wireharness, and a connector;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a mirror assembly showing a mirror, alight source (LED assembly), and two magnets;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the mirror showing the two magnets attachedthereto by adhesive and clearance holes for engagement of the LEDS ofthe light source;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the light source (LED assembly);

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the light source (LED assembly);

FIG. 11 is a top view of the fastener with the moveable arm in itsnormal unbiased state and rotated ninety degrees to a horizontal orlandscape orientation;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the fastener with the moveable arm in a fullyextended and biased state and rotated 90 degrees to a horizontal orlandscape orientation;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the fastener showing a base, a carrierhousing, a moveable arm, first and second springs, and a fixed arm;

FIG. 14 is an bottom exploded view of the base showing first and secondcavities to retain first and second magnets, respectively;

FIG. 15 is a top exploded view of the base showing a female connector(in the form of a mechanical spring disposed within a receptacle) thatallows the carrier housing to rotate to various locked positions,including a vertical or horizontal orientation;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the base showing a female connector that allowsthe carrier housing to rotate to various locked positions, including avertical or horizontal orientation;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier housing showing amale connector that is rotatably engaged with the female connector ofthe base;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the carrier housing;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the carrier housing showing a cavity to receivethe movable arm and the fixed arm;

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the moveable arm showing first andsecond legs and a gripping arm;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the moveable arm showing first and secondchannels disposed within the first and second legs, respectively, toreceive first and second mechanical springs, respectively;

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of the fixed arm showing a base thatengages with the carrier housing and a gripping arm;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the fixed arm showing a planarsurface that engages with the carrier housing;

FIG. 24 is a high level schematic showing the electro-mechanical andelectrical components of the first embodiment of the device.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a light stand according to the presentinvention showing a light unit secured to a base unit, a mirror, afastener removably engaged with the mirror to support an electroniccommunication device, such as an IPhone®, in a landscape orientation,and a remote control unit to control taking of a selfie picture orvideo.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the light unit showing the fastenerengaged with the mirror to removably support the electroniccommunication device in a portrait or landscape orientation.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a connector secured to the upper end ofa central of a third flexible arm of the light unit that is adapted toremovably engage the mirror.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the mirror.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the mirror.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the control unit.

FIG. 31 is a front view of a membrane switch.

FIG. 32 is a top view of the remote control unit.

FIG. 33 is a high level schematic of the electro-mechanical andelectrical components of the light stand.

FIG. 34 a perspective view of a light stand according to the presentinvention showing a light unit secured to a base unit, a fastenerremovably engaged a central flexible arm of the light unit to support anelectronic communication device, such as an IPhone®, in a landscapeorientation, and a remote control unit to control taking of a selfiepicture or video.

FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of a fastener that engages with a maleconnector of the central flexible arm of the light unit.

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective view the fastener showing a base havinga female connector for engagement with a male connector of the centralflexible arm of the light unit.

FIG. 37 is a top view of the base.

FIG. 38 is a bottom view of the base.

FIG. 39 is a cross-section view taken along line 38-38 of FIG. 37.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a device 100 foruse with an electronic communication device 50, such as an IPhone®,having a camera 52 enabled by a wireless communication chip such asBluetooth® to take a selfie picture or video. Communication device 50may be type of electronic device having a camera enabled with acommunication ship such as Bluetooth®, including but not limited tosmart phones, video recording devices, and cameras. Device 100 generallycomprises a hand mirror 102 having a mirror surface 133. Device 100further comprises a fastener 208 removably engaged with mirror surface133 of hand mirror 102 and communication device 50 to position camera 52in front of mirror surface 133. Fastener 208 comprises spring loadedgripping arms 276 and 290 adapted to secure left and right sides 54 and56 of communication device 50, respectively, and to supportcommunication device 50 in one of several positions, including avertical or portrait orientation (FIG. 1) and a horizontal or landscapeorientation (FIG. 2). Hand mirror 102 further comprises a controlcircuit 184 (not shown) having a wireless communication chip 160 (notshown) such as a Bluetooth® communication chip. Hand mirror 102 furthercomprises a light source 150, such as light emitting diodes, disposedwithin and about the perimeter of mirror surface 133 and electricallyconnected with control circuit 184. When activated, light source 140emits light from mirror surface 133 to illuminate a picture taking areain front of mirror surface 133. Hand mirror 102 further comprises aninput device 192, such as a membrane switch, electrically connected withcontrol circuit 184. Input device 192 generally comprises a dim upbutton 196 and a dim down button 198 to control the intensity of lightsource 150 and a camera activation button 204 to wirelessly activatecamera 50. Input device 192 further comprises a communication chipactivation button 202 to control on and off of communication chip 190.In operation, a person attaches fastener 208 to mirror surface 133 andpositions camera 50 to a portrait, landscape or other orientation. Theperson may then turn on light source 150 to the desired intensity andgrip device 100 with his/her hands to orientate camera 52 ofcommunication device 50 for a desired picture. When ready, a person maydepress on/off button 202 to turn on communication chip 190 and then theperson may pair communication device 50 with communication chip 190 ofdevice 100. A person may then depress camera activation button 204causing camera 52 to take a selfie picture or video of the person orpersons. Unlike conventional devices, device 100 allows a person to takea high quality selfie picture or video.

Referring to FIG. 3, hand mirror 102 generally comprises a housing 104,a mirror assembly 130, input device 192 and control circuit 184 aspreviously identified, and a battery 207. Mirror assembly 130 issecurely engaged within a front portion 106 of housing 104. Similarly,input device 192 is securely engaged within and accessible from frontportion 106 of housing 104. Control circuit 184 and battery 207 aredisposed within and accessible from a rear portion 120 of housing 104.

Referring to FIG. 4, front portion 106 of housing 104 comprises a cavity108 to receive mirror assembly 130. Cavity 108 comprises a support rib110 to support mirror assembly 130 that is secured within cavity 108 byconventional means such as adhesive. Front portion 106 further comprisesa cavity 112 and a cavity 114 sized to allow insertion of magnets 146and 148 (to be described) of mirror assembly 130 when assembled. As willbe more fully described herein, cavities 112 and 114 are also used asguides in the assembly of mirror assembly 130. Front portion 106 furthercomprises a cavity or compartment 116 adapted to receive input device192. Input device 192 is secured within cavity 116 by conventional meanssuch as adhesive. Cavity 116 further comprises an opening 119 formed ina floor 118 of cavity 116 to provide access for a wire harness 205 and aconnector 206 to pass thru and be connected with control circuit 184disposed in a cavity 122 (to be described) formed in rear portion 120 ofhousing 104.

Referring to FIG. 5, rear portion 120 of housing 104 comprises a cavityor compartment 122 sized to receive control circuit 184 and battery 207.Cavity 122 may be closed by a cover 126 (FIG. 3) is removably secured tobosses 124 by conventional means such as screws (not shown) forreplacement of control circuit 184 and/or battery 207. Housing 104 andcover 126 are made from plastic and fabricated by conventional moldingprocesses and operations.

Referring to FIG. 6, input device 192 is a membrane switch comprising alight source on/off button 194 that when depressed sends a signal tocontrol circuit 184 that is configured to turn on or turn off lightsource 150. Input device 192 further comprises a dim up button 196 thatwhen depressed sends a signal to control circuit 185 that is configuredto increase the intensity of light source 150. Input device 192 furthercomprises a dim down button 198 that when depressed sends a signal tocontrol circuit 185 that is configured to decrease the intensity oflight source 150. Input device 192 further comprise a communication chipon/off button 202 that when depressed sends a signal to control circuit184 that is configured to pair or unpair a wireless communication chip190 (to be described) of control circuit 184 with the wirelesscommunication chip of communication device 50. Input device 192 furthercomprises a communication chip status indicator light 203 that flasheswhen wireless communication chip 190 of control circuit 184 is notpaired with the wireless communication chip of communication device 50but turned on. Communication chip status indicator light 203 remainsconstantly on when wireless communication chip 190 of control circuit184 is paired with the wireless communication chip of communicationdevice 50. Input device 192 further comprises a camera activation button204 that when depressed sends a signal to control circuit 184 that isconfigured to send a signal to the communication chip of communicationdevice 50 to trigger or activate camera 52 to take a picture or start orstop a video. Input device 192 further comprise a battery life indicatorbutton 200 and battery life indicator lights 201 to indicate theremaining charge of battery 207. Input device 192 further comprises awire harness 205 and a connector 206 that removably engages with acorresponding connector (not shown) of control circuit 184. Input device192 in the form of a membrane switch is available from Shenzhen HaiwenMembrane Switch Co., Ltd., Xinahua 1 Road, Baoan 42th District,Shenzhen, China (www.szhaiwen.com).

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, mirror assembly 130 generally comprises a body132, magnets 146 and 148, and a light source 150. Body 132 comprises afront mirror surface 133 (FIG. 7) and a rear surface 134 (FIG. 8) havinga left border portion 135, a top border portion 136, right borderportion 137, a bottom border portion 138, and a central portion 139.Body 132 further comprises a plurality of clearance holes 141 disposedalong left border portion 135. Body 132 further comprises a plurality ofclearance holes 142 disposed along top border portion 136. Body 132further comprises a plurality of clearance holes 143 disposed alongright border portion 137. Body 132 further comprises a plurality ofclearance holes 144 disposed along bottom border portion 138. Clearanceholes 141, 142, 143, and 144 are sized so that when light source 50 isactivated, light is emitted from mirror surface 133 thru clearance holes141, 142, 143, and 144. Magnets 146 and 148 are secured to centralportion 139 of rear surface 136 by conventional means such as adhesiveduring assembly. Mirror assembly 130 is fastened to cavity 108 ofhousing 104 by conventional means such as adhesive. Body 132 is made ofABS plastic and mirrored surface 134 is made from 3 mm mirror glass thatis a fastened to body 132 by conventional means such as adhesive. Body132 with mirrored surface 134 thereon is readily available in sheet formand can be cut to any desired size and shape by conventional cuttingoperations. Magnets 146 and 148 are neodymium disc magnets available asPart No. N35 from AIM Magnet Shenzhen Co., LTD, No. 16-3, Songshan WestRoad, Shajing Street, Baoan, Shenzhen, China (www.magnet168.com). Inother embodiments, body 132 of mirror assembly 130 may be significantlylarger and include more than two magnets so that the position offastener 208 can be adjusted about the mirror surface.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, where a front view of light source 150(FIG. 9) and a rear view of light source 150 (FIG. 10) are illustrated.Light source 150 comprises a first printed circuit board assembly 152, asecond printed circuit board assembly 160, a third printed circuit boardassembly 168, and a fourth printed circuit board assembly 176. Firstprinted circuit board assembly 152 generally comprises a base 300 havingupper and lower surfaces 302 and 304, and printed circuit boards 306,308, 310, 312, and 314 mounted to upper surface 302 by conventionalmeans such as adhesive. Printed circuit board assembly 152 assemblyfurther comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes 154 connectedwith each of printed circuit boards 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 byconventional means such as surface mounting processes. Light emittingdiodes 154 are electrically connected in parallel with each other andcontrolled by control circuit 146. Printed circuit board assembly 152 isadhesively secured to left border portion 135 of mirror surface 136 ofbody 132 by conventional means such that light emitting diodes 154 arecentered and/or aligned with clearance holes 141 of body 132 of mirrorassembly 130 (FIG. 8). Second printed circuit board assembly 160generally comprises a base 316 having upper and lower surfaces 318 and320, and printed circuit boards 322, 324, 326, and 328 mounted to uppersurface 318 by conventional means such as adhesive. Printed circuitboard assembly 160 further comprises a plurality of light emittingdiodes 162 connected with each of printed circuit boards 322, 324, 326,and 328 by conventional means such as surface mounting processes. Lightemitting diodes 162 are electrically connected in parallel with eachother and controlled by control circuit 146. Printed circuit boardassembly 160 is adhesively secured to top border portion 136 of rearsurface 136 by conventional means such that light emitting diodes 162are centered and/or aligned with clearance holes 142 of body 132 (FIG.8). Third printed circuit board assembly 168 generally comprises a base330 having upper and lower surfaces 332 and 334, and printed circuitboards 336, 338, 340, 342, and 344 mounted to upper surface 332 byconventional means such as adhesive. Printed circuit board assembly 168further comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes 170 connectedwith each of printed circuit boards 336, 338, 340, 342, and 344 byconventional means such as surface mounting processes. Printed circuitboard assembly 168 is adhesively secured to right border portion 137 ofrear surface 136 of body 132 by conventional means such that lightemitting diodes 170 are centered and/or aligned with clearance holes 143of body 132 (FIG. 8). Fourth printed circuit board assembly 176generally comprises a base 346 having upper and lower surfaces 348 and350, and printed circuit boards 352, 354, 356, and 358 mounted to uppersurface 348 by conventional means such as adhesive. Printed circuitboard assembly 176 further comprises a plurality of light emittingdiodes 178 connected with each of printed circuit boards 352, 354, 356,and 358 by conventional means such as surface mounting processes.Printed circuit board assembly 176 is adhesively secured to bottomborder portion 138 of rear surface 136 of body 132 by conventional meanssuch that light emitting diodes 178 are centered and/or aligned withclearance holes 142 of body 132 (FIG. 8). Wires 156, 158, 164, 166, and168 are provided to connect light emitting diodes 154, 162, 170, 178 inparallel with each other. A suitable voltage across wires 172 and 174turns on light source 150. As will be more fully described, wires 172and 174 electrically connect light source 150 with control circuit 184and battery 207. Light emitting diodes of light source 150 may be anytype of light diode such as a 50/50 LED. Base 300, 316, 330, and 346 ofprinted circuit board assemblies 160, 160, 168, and 176, act as heatsinks to cool light emitting diodes 154, 162, 170, and 178. Bases 300,316, 330, and 346 are made from 6063 grade aluminum that is widelyavailable. Similarly, printed circuit boards 306, 308, 310, 312, 314,322, 324, 326, 328, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 352, 354, 356, and 358 arewidely available and ready for assembly with three or four lightemitting diodes.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, where fastener 208 is shown a retractedposition (FIG. 11) and an extended position (FIG. 12). In the extendedposition, communication device 50 can be inserted between gripping arms276 and 290. In the retracted position, sides 54 and 56 of communicationdevice 50 are secured by gripping arms 276 and 290. As shown by FIG. 13,fastener 208 generally comprises a base assembly 210, a carrier housing240 rotatably engaged with base assembly 210, a moveable arm 262,springs 278 and 280, and a fixed arm 282.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, base assembly 210 generally comprises a body211 having a rear portion 212 (FIG. 14) and a front portion 222 (FIG.15). Rear portion 212 comprises a cavity 214 designed to receive amagnet 234. A cover 216 is secured with cavity 204 by conventionalmeans, such as adhesive, to secure magnet 234 therein. Rear portion 212further comprises a second cavity 218 designed to receive a magnet 236.A cover 220 is secured with cavity 218 by conventional means, such asadhesive, to secure magnet 236 therein. Magnets 234 and 236 areneodymium disc magnets available as Part No. N35 from AIM MagnetShenzhen Co., LTD, No. 16-3, Songshan West Road, Shajing Street, Baoan,Shenzhen, China (www.magnet168.com). Front portion 222 of body 211comprises a cavity 224 and a female connector 226 disposed within cavity224. Female connector 226 rotatably engages with a male connector 244(to be described) of carrier housing 240. Female connector 226 comprisesa receptacle 228 and a mechanical spring 229 disposed in receptacle 228.Mechanical spring 229 is retained within receptacle 228 by a cover 238.Cover 238 comprises a central opening 237 to allow free rotation of maleconnector 244 (to be described) of carrier housing 240 with femaleconnector 226. Cover 238 further comprises openings 239 to allow screws(not shown) to be secured to corresponding bosses of cavity 224.Mechanical spring 229 comprises protrusions 230 and 232 that can beflexed or biased inward. As will be more fully described, protrusions230 and 232 lock male connector 244 and therefore carrier housing 240,in one several positions, including a vertical or portrait orientationor a horizontal or landscape orientation. Cover 238 is secured to cavity224 by conventional means such as screws (not shown). Cover 238comprises an opening or clearance hole 239 so that male connector 24 ofcarrier housing 240 can pass thru opening 239 and engage with femaleconnector 226. Base assembly 210 is made from plastic and fabricated byconvention molding processes.

Referring to FIGS. 17-19, carrier housing 240 comprises a rear portion242 (FIG. 17) and a front portion 248 (FIG. 18). Carrier housing 240further comprises a male connector 244 extending outward from rearportion 242. Male connector 244 is adapted to rotatably engage with andbe secured by female connector 226 of base assembly 200 in a numberpositions. In the embodiment shown, male connector 244 comprises a gear245 having a plurality of indentations 246. Gear 245 rotatably engageswith and is secured by receptacle 228 of female connector 226 of baseassembly 200 in a number of positions equal to one-half of the number ofindentations 246 employed with gear 245. Each pair of opposingindentations 246 of gear 245 are locked in a given position byprotrusions 230 and 232 (FIG. 16) as gear 245 is rotated withinreceptacle 228 (FIG. 16). Carrier housing 240 further comprises a cavity250 formed in front portion 248. Cavity 250 comprises a channel portion252, a channel portion 256, and a flange portion 260 surrounding cavity250. Carrier housing 240 further comprises an anchor 254 disposed at theend of channel portion 252. Anchor 254 serves to secure one end ofspring 278 (FIG. 13). Carrier housing 240 further comprises an anchor258 disposed at the end of channel portion 256. Anchor 258 serves tosecure one end of spring 280 within channel portion 256 (FIG. 13).Carrier housing 240 further comprises a wall 255 formed at an inner endof channel portion 252 that may engage with a stop member 265 (to bedescribed) of moveable arm 262. Carrier housing 240 further comprises awall 259 formed at inner end of channel 256 that may engage with a stopmember 271 (to be described) of moveable arm 262. Walls 255 and 259 mayengage with stop members 265, and 271, respectively, to limit slidingmovement of moveable arm 262 to a maximum point outward of channelscavity 252 and 256 of carrier housing 240. Carrier housing 240 is madefrom plastic and is fabricated by conventional injection moldingprocesses and operations.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, moveable arm 262 comprises a left leg 264,a right leg 270, and a gripping arm 276 engaged with left and rightslegs 264 and 270. Left leg 264 comprises a channel 266 having inner andouter ends 267 and 268. Right leg 270 comprises a channel 272 havinginner and outer ends 273 and 274. Channels 266 and 272 are adapted toenclose springs 278 and 280, respectively, to allow gripping arm 276 toextend or slide a distance outward of carrier housing 240 creating abias within springs 278 and 280 that urges or moves moveable arm 262back to the non-biased state (springs 278 and 280 are not compressed)within channel portions 252 and 256 of carrier housing 240. Moveable arm262 further comprises a stop member 265 that may engage with wall 255 ofchannel portion 252 of carrier housing 240 and a stop member 271 thatmay engage with wall 259 of channel portion 256 of carrier housing 240to stop or limit sliding movement of moveable arm 262 outward of carrierhousing 240. In the embodiment shown, gripping arm 276 of movable member262 can be spread or expanded a maximum of about eighty millimeters fromgripping arm 290. Moveable arm 262 is made from plastic and isfabricated by conventional injection molding processes and operations.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, fixed arm 282 comprises a base 284 and agripping arm 290. Base 284 comprises openings 286 and 288 to securelyengage fixed arm 82 to carrier housing 240 by conventional means such asscrews (not shown). Fixed arm also serves to contain moveable arm 262within cavity 250 of carrier housing 240 while allowing back and forthsliding movement of moveable arm 262. Fixed arm 282 is made from plasticand is fabricated by conventional injection molding processes andoperations.

Referring to FIG. 24, where a high level schematic illustrates inputdevice 192, control circuit 184, battery 207, and light emitting diodes154, 162, 170, and 178. Control circuit 184 generally comprises amicrocontroller 188 electrically connected with a wireless communicationchip 190 and an antenna 191 by a printed circuit board 186 (not shown).Microcontroller 188 is electrically connected with input device 192 anda battery 207 by conventional wiring and board mounted connectors.Microcontroller 188 is electrically connected with light emitting diodes154, 162, 170, and 178 of light source 150 by a transistor 189 tocontrol the intensity of light source 150 by pulse width modulation.Microcontroller 188 comprises a memory system (not shown) and a softwaremodule (not shown) stored on the memory system. Microcontroller 188 maybe an Arduino Uno Rev3 type controller manufactured by ArduinoCorporation (www.arduino.cc/en) and available online as Part No. 50 fromAdafruit Industries, Inc., 150 Varick Street, New York, N.Y. 10013(http://www.adafruit.com) which may be programmed with software module.Microcontroller 188 may be any type of presently and/or futurelydeveloped electronic circuitry and/or discrete circuitry. The softwaremodule can be easily written in software or code written based upon thedesired functionality of the various buttons of input device 192 (FIG.6). For example, the software module comprises software or codeconfigured to instruct microcontroller 188 to send control signals totransistor 189 to control the intensity of light emitting diodes 154,162, 170, and 178 based upon signals received from input device 192. Thesoftware module further comprises software configured to instructmicrocontroller 188 to send control signals to communication chip 190based upon signals received from input device 192. Microcontroller 188may be programmed or implemented in C/C++ programming language. Battery207 is provided to charge microcontroller 188. Battery 207 is a 1,000 mArechargeable battery available as Part No. JP554141 from Shenzhen JinkeEnergy Development CO., LTD, No. 9-10 Building, Junxin Industrial Zone,Guanlan Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong, China.Battery 207 may be any type of power supply suitable for deliveringpower to microcontroller 188, and any other desired circuit components,and preferably rechargeable. Wireless communication chip 190 is aBluetooth® communication chip available as Part No. TH08 from ShenzhenTechtion Electronics Co., LTD, 2F, Building C2, Huafeng Industrial Zone,Xixiang Avenue, Baoan, Shenzhen, China (www.techtion.cn).

Device 100 of the present invention provides significant improvementsover conventional devices for taking selfie pictures. A person may turnon light source 150 to the desired intensity and grip device 100 withhis/her hands to orientate camera 52 for a desired picture. When ready,the person may depress camera activation button 194 causing camera 52 totake a selfie picture or video of the person or persons. Unlikeconventional devices, device 100 allows a person to quickly take a highquality selfie picture or video. Light source 150 illuminates thepicture taking area in front of mirror surface 133 for taking an evenhigher quality selfie picture or video.

Referring to FIG. 25, where a selfie light stand 400 according to thepresent invention is shown for use with a communication device 50, suchas an IPhone®, having a camera enabled by a wireless communication chipsuch as Bluetooth,® to take a selfie picture or video. Light stand 400generally comprises a tri-pod stand 402, a light unit 422 comprisinglight sources 470 and 478 and a control unit 426, and a mirror unit 486having a mirror surface 498. Light stand 400 further comprises afastener 208 (previously described) for securing communication device 50to mirror surface 498 in one of several positions, including a verticalor portrait orientation and a horizontal or landscape orientation. Lightstand 400 further comprises a remote control 500 adapted to sendwireless signals to control unit 426 to increase and/or decrease thelight intensity and/or temperature of light sources 270 and 487 and toactivate camera 52 of communication device 50 to take a selfie pictureor video.

With continued reference to FIG. 25, stand 402 comprises a base 404having legs 405, 406, and 408 moveably secured to a connector 410. Stand402 further comprises a lower support pole 410 and an intermediatesupport pole 414 telescopically engaged with lower support pole 410.Stand 402 further comprises a collar 413 secured to the upper end oflower support pole 410 and collar 415 secured to intermediate supportpole 414. Collar 415 can be loosened and/or tightened so thatintermediate pole 414 can be adjusted to any height by beingtelescopically moved within lower support pole 410. Stand 402 furthercomprises an upper support pole 418 and a collar 419 that can beloosened and/or tightened so that upper support pole 418 can be adjustedto any height by being telescopically moved within intermediate supportpole 414. The upper end of upper support pole 418 is removably engagedwith housing 428 of control unit 426 of light unit 422.

Referring to FIG. 26, light unit 422 generally comprises a control unit426, a left flexible arm 450, a right flexible arm 456, and a centralflexible arm 462. Light unit 422 further comprises a light source 470engaged with left flexible arm 450 and a light source 478 engaged withright flexible arm 456. Each of light sources 470 and 478 comprise aplurality of cool single color light emitting diodes 476 and a pluralityof warm single color light emitting diodes 477 that are commonly knownand widely available. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of threecolor RGB light emitting diodes may be used. As further shown, mirrorunit 486 is removably engaged with a connector 468 (to be described) ofcentral flexible arm 462 (FIG. 26). Fastener 208 is removably engagedwith mirror surface 498 of mirror unit 486 for securing a communicationdevice (not shown) as described in the first embodiment in one ofseveral positions, including a vertical or portrait orientation and ahorizontal or landscape orientation.

Referring to FIG. 27, male connector 468 is shown attached to an anchor600 that is secured to an upper end of central flexible arm 462 byconventional means such as screw or rivet. Male connector 468 is securedto anchor 600 by conventional means such as a screw. Anchor 600generally comprises a body 602, a screw 606, and a moveable maleconnector 604. Loosening of screw 606 allows moveable male connector 604to be rotated upward or downward. Tightening of screw 606 securesmoveable male connector 604 in a given position. Male connector 468comprises a plurality of protrusions 469 that engage with a femaleconnector 494 of mirror unit 268. Male connector 468 and anchor 600 aremade from plastic and fabricated by convention molding processes.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, mirror unit 468 comprises a housing 488and a mirror 496 having a mirror surface 498. Housing 488 comprises afront portion 490 having a cavity (not shown) to secure mirror 496 byconventional means such as adhesive. Housing 488 further comprises arear portion 492 and a female connector 494 centrally disposed andformed as part of rear portion 492. As is well known in the art, femaleconnector 494 comprises a plurality of slots 495 adapted to removablyreceive and secure protrusions 469 of male connector 478 so that mirrorunit 468 may be removably and adjustably engaged with upper end 466 ofcentral flexible arm 462 of light unit 422.

Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, control unit 426 comprises a housing 428and an input device 444 mounted to a sidewall 430 of housing 428. Inputdevice 444 is a membrane switch comprising buttons 446 and 447 to dim upand dim down, respectively, the intensity of light sources 470 and 478.Holding down of buttons 446 or 447 turns on or turns off light sources470 and 478. Input device 444 further comprises buttons 448 and 449 toincrease or decrease, respectively, the temperature of light sources 470and 478. Control unit 426 further comprises a control circuit 432 (notshown) assembled on a printed circuit board 434 by conventional meansthat is electrically connected with input device 444 and light sources470 and 478. As will be more fully described herein, control circuit 432comprises a communication chip 438, such as Bluetooth®, that can beactivated by remote control 500 (FIG. 32) to send a wireless signal tothe communication chip of communication device 50 to activate camera 52to take a picture or video. Control circuit 432 further comprisescircuitry to receive a wireless signal from remote control 500 to dim upor dim down the intensity of light sources 470 and 478 and/or thetemperature of light sources 470 and 478.

Referring to FIG. 32, remote control 500 comprises a housing 501 and adim up LED button 504, which when activated, sends a signal to controlcircuit 432 to increase the intensity of light sources 470 and 478.Remote control 500 comprises a dim down LED button 505, which whenactivated, sends a signal to control circuit 432 to decrease theintensity of light sources 470 and 478. Remote control 500 comprises aincrease LED temperature button 506, which when activated, sends a RFsignal to control circuit 432 to increase the temperature of lightsources 470 and 478. Remote control 500 comprises a decrease LEDtemperature button 508, which when activated, sends a signal to controlcircuit 432 to decrease the temperature of light sources 470 and 478.Remote control 500 further comprises a fixed warm temperature button510, which when activated, sends a signal to control circuit 432 to setthe temperature of light sources 470 and 478 to a full warm temperatureof about 2700K. Remote control 500 further comprises a fixed mediumtemperature button 512, which when activated, sends a signal to controlcircuit 432 to set the temperature of light sources 470 and 478 to amedium temperature of about 4200K. Remote control 500 further comprisesa fixed cool temperature button 514, which when activated, sends asignal to control circuit 432 to set the temperature of light sources470 and 478 to a full cool temperature of about 5600K. Remote control500 further comprises a first memory button 516, which when activated,will send a signal to control circuit 432 to set the intensity andtemperature of light sources 470 and 478 to a pre-stored level. Remotecontrol 500 further comprises a second memory button 518, which whenactivated, will send a signal to control circuit 432 to set theintensity and temperature of light sources 470 and 478 to a pre-storedlevel. Remote control 500 further comprises a third memory button 520,which when activated, will send a signal to control circuit 432 to setthe intensity and temperature of light sources 470 and 478 to apre-stored level. Remote control 500 further comprises a cameraactivation button 522, which when activated, sends a signal to controlcircuit 432 to send a wireless signal to the communication chip ofcommunication device 50 to activate camera 52 to take a picture orvideo. Remote control 500 is an infra red (IR) type remote control thatcomprises an IR transmitter 502 (FIG. 33) and a light emitting diode(not shown). Remote control 500 is commonly known and widely availablewith multiple channels or custom designed. Remote control 500 may be anyother type of remote control such as a radio frequency (RF) type remotecontrol or any futurely developed technology.

Referring to FIG. 33, where a high level block diagram shows inputdevice 444, control circuit 432, light emitting diodes 476 and 477 oflight sources 470 and 478, and a power supply 442. Control circuit 432generally comprises a microcontroller 435 electrically connected with awireless communication chip 436 and an antenna 437 by a printed circuitboard 434 (FIG. 30). Microcontroller 435 is electrically connected withinput device 444 and power supply 442 by conventional wiring and boardmounted connectors. Microcontroller 435 is electrically connected withlight emitting diodes 477 and 478 of light sources 470 and 478 bytransistors 438 and 439 to control the intensity and/or temperature oflight sources 470 and 478 by pulse width modulation based upon signalsfrom input device 444. Control circuit 442 further comprises a IRreceiver 441 electrically connected with microcontroller 435. IRreceiver 441 sends signals to microcontroller 435 corresponding towireless signals received by IR receiver 441 from remote control 500 tocontrol the intensity and/or temperature of light sources 470 and 478 bypulse width modulation. Microcontroller 435 comprises a memory system(not shown) and a software module (not shown) stored on the memorysystem. Microcontroller 435 may be an Arduino Uno Rev3 type controllermanufactured by Arduino Corporation (www.arduino.cc/en) and availableonline as Part No. 50 from Adafruit Industries, Inc., 150 Varick Street,New York, N.Y. 10013 (http://www.adafruit.com) which may be programmedwith software module. Microcontroller 435 may be any type of presentlyand/or futurely developed electronic circuitry and/or discretecircuitry. The software module can be easily written in software or codebased upon the desired functionality of the various buttons of inputdevice 444 (FIG. 31) and remote control 500 (FIG. 32). The softwaremodule comprises software or code configured to instruct microcontroller435 to send control signals to transistors 438 and 439 to control theintensity and/or temperature of light emitting diodes 476 and 477 oflight sources 470 and 478 based upon signals received from input device444, namely, by activation of dim up LED button 446, dim down LED button447, increase LED temperature button 448, or decrease LED temperaturebutton 449. The software module comprises software or code configured toinstruct microcontroller 435 to send control signals to transistors 438and 439 to control the intensity and/or temperature of light emittingdiodes 476 and 477 of light sources 470 and 478 based upon signalsreceived from remote control 550 via IR receiver 441, by activation ofdim up LED button 504, dim down LED button 505, increase LED temperaturebutton 506, increase LED temperature button 508, fixed full cooltemperature button 510, fixed medium temperature button 512, fixed fullwarm temperature button 514, memory button 516, memory button 518 ormemory button 520. The software module further comprises software orcode configured to instruct microcontroller 435 to send a control signalto wireless communication chip 437 to activate camera 52 ofcommunication device 50 based upon a signal received from remote control550 via RF receiver 441 by activation of camera activation button 522.Microcontroller 435 may be programmed or implemented in C/C++programming language. Power supply 442 may be any type of power supplycapable of providing suitable power to the various electricalcomponents. Power supply 442 is connected to an AC power source (notshown) such as an electrical wall outlet.

Referring to FIG. 34, where a perspective view of a light stand 700according to the present invention shows light unit 422 (previouslydescribed) secured to tri-pod stand 402 (previously described), afastener 710 removably engaged with central flexible arm 462 of lightunit 422 to support electronic communication device 50 in a landscapeorientation, and remote control 500 (previously described) to controltaking of a selfie picture or video. Except for fastener 710, lightstand 700 is the same as light stand 400 as described heretofore.

Referring to FIGS. 35-39, fastener 710 comprises a base 712, carrierhousing 240 (previously described), moveable arm 262 (previouslydescribed), and fixed arm 282 (previously described). Fastener 710 isidentical to fastener 208 (previously described) except for base 210(FIGS. 14-16) that has been replaced with base 712. Base 712 comprises atop portion 714 and a bottom portion 716. Top portion 714 of base 712 isidentical to front portion 222 of fastener 208 (FIG. 16). Bottom portion716 comprises a female connector 718 having a plurality of slots 720that removably engage with protrusions 469 of male connector 468 (FIG.27) of central flexible arm 462. Base 712 is made of plastic and may befabricated by conventional molding processes.

In alternative embodiments, a larger size or full body mirror having amirror surface may be employed with a plurality of magnets so thefastener 208 may be positioned at different locations or heights aboutthe mirror surface. For example, an apparatus may comprises a full bodymirror comprising a mirror surface, and fastener 208 engaged with thefull body mirror and the electronic communication device to position thecamera in front of the mirror surface to take a selfie picture or video.The full body mirror comprises a plurality of magnets defining lower,middle, and upper fastening areas. Fastener 208 is removably engagedwith the lower, middle or upper fastening area allowing a person toadjust the height of the camera. As in other embodiments, the apparatusmay comprise a control circuit and an input device connected with thecontrol circuit to activate the camera to take a selfie picture ofvideo.

The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes ofillustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carriedout in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Modifications and variations still falling within the spiritor scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill inthe art.

What is claimed:
 1. A device for use with an electronic communicationdevice having a camera to take a picture or video comprising: a base; afirst flexible arm extending upward from said base; a second flexiblearm extending upward from said base; a third flexible arm extendingupward from said base; a first light source engaged with said firstflexible arm; a second light source engaged with said second flexiblearm; a body engaged with said third flexible arm; said body comprising amirror surface; and a fastener directly engagable with said mirrorsurface and engageable with the communication device to position thecamera in front of said mirror surface.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said device further comprises a control unit engaged with thebase and adapted to send a first signal to the communication device toactivate the camera to take a picture.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereinsaid control unit is adapted to send a second signal to thecommunication device to activate said first and second light sources. 4.The device of claim 3, wherein said control unit may be activated by ahand-held remote control device.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein eachof said first and second light sources comprise a plurality of lightemitting diodes.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said fastenercomprises a first portion engaged with said mirror surface and a secondportion adapted to engage the electronic communication device.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein said first portion is removably engaged withsaid mirror surface.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said secondportion of said fastener is rotatably engaged with said first portion ofsaid fastener allowing the camera to be positioned in severalorientations.